July, 1996America's character is partially defined by its
response to national tragedies. On May 16, 1996 Admiral Jeremy
"Mike" Boorda, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations, committed
suicide for reasons that may never be fully understood. I
first heard the news on the radio, sharing empathy for the stress and
hopelessness that afflict many people. As Memorial Day was
approaching, I was moved to combine two patriotic
songs. Although America, The Beautiful, our
"unofficial national anthem" has been overused, this
arrangement uniquely employs the phrase "...from sea to
shining sea" as a transition to The Navy Hymn. Rolling
triplets dramatically increase in the piano as the choir concludes, "...and
crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!"